Mark your calendars: Saturday, March 18 is the Second Annual La Conner Pet Parade presented by the La Conner Chamber of Commerce (lovelaconner.com). It starts at 11 a.m. at the La Conner Marina parking lot. From there adorned pets and proud owners will make their way south to Gilkey Square for activities lasting to 2 p.m..

"A lot of people know people just by the animals" says resident and parade coordinator Gina McCarthy Torpey, owner of Enchanted Locks Hair Salon. She is relying on La Conner middle schoolers Faith and Kiana Jenkins to put together flyers and organize the pet food drive,...